Her interest in functional gut disorders led her to Melbourne in Australia the hub of research in the area.
Monash University in Melbourne has carried out extensive research in this area and Dr Sue Shepherd and her research
team have developed the low FODMAP diet which is a most effective dietary treatment for functional gut disorder
particularly Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Elaine travelled to Melbourne in December 2010 and spent time with Dr Jaci Barrett. Dr Barrett is one of the senior
researchers working with Dr Shepherd on the low FODMAP diet at Monash University and the founder of Diet Solutions
(dietsolutions.net.au). Dr Barrett very kindly let Elaine observe her in clinical practice and was most helpful in
updating her knowledge in this field.

Following on from this research visit to Melbourne, Elaine’s decided to further expand her knowledge base
in this area. In May 2011 in King’s College London she completed the professional and executive development
short course on ‘The Low FODMAP Diet in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders’.

Elaine has been implementing the low FODMAP diet in clinical practice and finds it a most effective treatment for
functional gut disorder particularly IBS.

Low FODMAP Diet

The low FODMAP diet has been published in international medical journals and is now accepted and recommended
as one of the most effective dietary therapies for IBS.

The low FODMAP diet originated in Australia and was developed by a team at Monash University in Melbourne.
It has been successfully adapted to the UK by researchers at King’s College London and implemented at Guy’s and
St Thomas’ NHS Trust in London.

What are FODMAPs?

FODMAPs stands for -

Fermentable

Oligo- saaccharides

Di-saccharides

Mono-saccharides

And

Polyols

What is the low FODMAP diet?

Fermentable, Oligo- saccharides, Di- saccharides, Mono-saccharides and Polyols (FODMAPs) are
short chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine. The major FODMAPs are
fructose, fructans, galactans, polyols and lactose.

These are a group of short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed. In people with gastrointestinal symptoms,
a diet high in FODMAPs can cause diarrhoea and/or constipation, bloating, wind, nausea and abdominal pain.

Ingestion of foods high in FODMAPs leads to alterations in fluid content and bacterial fermentation in the colon
triggering functional gut symptoms in susceptible individuals. Removing foods high in FODMAPs from the diet is effective
in improving symptoms of people with functional gut disorders like IBS.

The low FODMAP programme at Elaine McGowan Dietetic Clinics

Assessment and recommendations on which foods high in FODMAPs should be removed from the diet of IBS sufferers for four to six weeks.

Documentation of food and fluid intake and symptoms during this period.

Follow up consultations (1-3) where foods are reintroduced gradually while looking at the patient’s individual symptoms, and
their tolerance to the reintroduction of foods.

Comprehensive written materials are provided on dietary recommendations.

Careful implementation is required to ensure the diet is effective and ensuring their diet is nutritionally adequate.

FODMAP trained Dietitians

The diet is most effective when FODMAP-trained dietitians provide dietary advice. It has been shown that patients
that had seen a FODMAP-trained dietitian reported significant improvement in symptoms after being on the diet.

Elaine specialises in the low FODMAP diet and finds it a most effective treatment for functional gut disorder particularly IBS.
Elaine is one of few dieticians trained in the Low FODMAP diet in the Republic of Ireland.

Low FODMAP information

Please be aware that the low FODMAP diet is a relatively new dietary treatment option to Ireland. There have been a lot recent
advances in research in this area and many websites and some practitioners may be unaware of such research. The majority of information
on the low FODMAP diet available in books and on the internet may be out of date and inaccurate. Research into the dietary strategy continues
and information requires continuous updating.